Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Lunch Dessert: Sweet Riot

I recently had a new client in my office. She was referred by a friend, another client we’ll call T. After greeting my new client and guiding her to my office, we sat down and I asked her what brought her in. Common answers to this question are “I have a marathon I am running” or “I really want to lose some weight.” This new client responded differently saying, “I loved T’s lunch dessert.” It turns out she had lunch with T and after lunch T shared one of our Foodtrainers’ favorite snacks. She shared Sweet Riot.

In case you haven’t “rioted” before. Sweet Riot makes dark chocolate covered cacao nibs. I first discovered them at the Natural Products Expo a few years ago and have been hooked ever since. These 1-2 calorie, per piece, nibs are packaged in resealable (and reusable) tins. They come in different flavors or strengths of 50, 65 and 70. The entire tin has 140 calories and is gluten free. These nibs, the size of a Rice Krispy are fun to eat but intense. You really can have a few and be satisfied and leave the tin in your desk or purse for the next day. They do the trick.

Cacao seeds or nibs are what cocoa and chocolate is made from. The fat in cacao and dark chocolate contains stearic acid. This saturated fat doesn’t raise LDL (or bad) cholesterol and may in fact raise HDL. Cacao and dark chocolate also contain magnesium a mineral that can be decreased or depleted in times of stress. And they have an extremely high ORAC (antioxidant rating) score. We still see Sweet Riot as a treat but it’s definitely a treat with benefits.This quote from the Sweet Riot Website says it best "All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt!" - Lucy Van Pelt, "Peanuts"

Sweet Riot has generously offered to giveaway their Spring Fling 3-pack of tins. To be eligible comment here on the blog (include blog name or twitter handle) or share this post via twitter and include @Foodtrainers. U.S. residents only.

Have you tried Sweet Riot tins or bars before? Are you a chocolate person? Do you have lunch dessert?

I love Sweet Riot! I have seen them around (whole paycheck and my local natural food store) but didn't try them until very recently and I was beyond smitten. It's unbelievable how much flavor those little nibs pack in! I honestly can't eat the whole tin in one sitting because they are so rich...which is a good thing!

I am soo glad you found these nibs! The best part is that these cute tins are so made to be opened and closed, used and reused, for a few nibs here and there. They really are flavorful enough that a few is all you need, and sweetriot makes it very easy to put a lid on it-- unlike most packaging that relies on your own self control to put the rest in a ziplock.

I am SUCH a dessert person, it is REALLY bad. I wish I could tame this part of myself, but sweets are just part of my life. Some people can't live without bread, I can totally live without it, but dinner for me is not complete without a sweet.

They live either in the chocolate section or near the registers at Whole Foods and Zabars in NYC. They are also sold on the Sweet Riot website. Maybe your Foodtrainer thought you were doing fine sans lunch dessert but these are delightful scattered with almonds or walnuts for a mid afternoon snack.

They are amazing. I have 3 pieces in the afternoon and am completely satisfied. Given that I am addicted to chocolate and could eat it daily, these are perfect. Thanks Lauren. How do I get in the running for the prize?

I am a chocolate person, but I know my limits. I usually keep a bar of dark chocolate in the house and have a square or two, yes, after lunch, or later in the afternoon for a pick me up. I'm quite satisfied w/ 1 or 2 squares of dark chocolate, but I take no responsibility for what happens when a box of Sees candy enters my house. Let's just say, my kids and husband are lucky if I leave them a piece :-). Luckily, it makes it way to my house only a couple of times a year. These chocolate covered cacao nibs look like a perfect after lunch or afternoon treat. Count me in!

I haven't heard of Sweet Riot before but I have seen and purchased something similar from Trader Joe's. Sometimes, after lunch I just need a little something sweet to finish off my meal and these really do hit the spot. But I always like to keep raisins, dates, and dried apricots handy as well!